The Major

The Spanish major offers courses in literature, linguistics, and culture. The literature courses not only emphasize literary analysis, but also give insights into the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. All Spanish courses also develop language skills. As a complement to the Spanish major, students are encouraged to obtain certificates or undertake minors as available in areas of related interest such as Latin American Studies, International Relations, Modern European Studies or Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies.

Requirements

The undergraduate major in Spanish consists of at least 41 credits. Entering students who wish to major in Spanish and are at the intermediate level are urged to take SPANISH 246 (Intensive Intermediate Spanish).

  1. Advance Language Preparation (three courses)
    Take three of the following electives:
    1. Spanish 301 Conversational Spanish
    2. Spanish 306 Spanish Pronunciation
    3. Spanish 310 Content Course in Spanish
    4. Spanish 311 Advanced Grammar (Spanish 314 is recommended for Spanish heritage speakers)
    5. Spanish 312 Oral and Written Expression
  2. Upper Level courses (eight courses)
    1. Take five courses numbered 320 and above in consultation with your advisor. Only two courses may be taken in English in areas related to the Spanish major with the advisor's approval.
    2. Take three upper level courses numbered 400 and above.
  3. Junior Year Writing
  4. Intergrative Experience
    1. Spanish 394PI (sophmore/junior year)
    2. Spanish 494RI (junior/senior year)

Education Abroad

The program sponsors several programs abroad: the Salamanca (Spain) summer program, a fall semester in Granada (Spain), and a spring semester in Oviedo (Spain). Students may also participate in other exchange programs in Spain and in several other Spanish-speaking countries. The program works closely with the International Programs Office to facilitate arrangements for foreign study for Spanish majors and minors, and strongly encourages both to take advantage of these programs or to participate in other semester or academic year programs in Spain or Latin America.

Restrictions

A GPA of 2.00 is required for courses counted toward the major. No Pass/Fail courses taken at the University will be accepted for the major.

A minimum of 15 of the credits required for the major must be earned in courses taught at the University.

Teacher Preparation

Majors planning to teach Spanish at the secondary level must apply formally to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) office in the College of Education, Furcolo Hall. The application should be submitted as early as possible in order to plan the program, which includes both the foreign language major and the necessary courses in professional education. Students entering the program of foreign language teacher training must pass the Communication and Literacy test prior to entering this program, and the Massachusetts Educator Certification Subject Area test before student teaching. For further information about the Foreign Language Teacher Training program, contact Professor Carole Cloutier, (413) 545-4916, cloutier@spanport.umass.edu.

Required Courses for Secondary Level Teaching

Students are normally required to complete a major in Spanish, which includes courses in language, literature, culture, and linguistics. In addition, they are required to complete 23 to 26 credits in courses in professional education and in practica. Study abroad in a Spanish-speaking setting is strongly recommended for those seeking a teaching career. To satisfy the linguistics requirement students must take at least one Hispanic linguistics course. Students may also take additional linguistics courses in other departments, if they wish: LINGUIST 101 People and their Language; LINGUIST 201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory; LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition; or EDUC 670 Language and Language Learning.

The following are the education-related courses:

  • EDUC 524 The Work of the Middle and High School Teacher
  • PSYCH 305 Educational Psychology or
  • EDUC 594I Psychology in the Schools
  • EDUC 377 Multicultural Education or
  • EDUC 597R T.E.A.M.S. (Leadership Tutoring in the Schools)
  • FRENCHST 572 Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages or equivalent course in Spanish
  • EDUC 592S Microteaching: Pre-practicum Field Experience
  • SPANI-ED 500U Student Teaching
  • EDUC 510 The Teacher in the Middle and High School Classroom
  • EDUC 615J Workshop in Education

Students completing this program receive the Provisional Certificate with Advanced Standing, which enables them to apply for a teaching post. They then have five years in which to complete coursework for the Standard Certificate, which generally entails the completion of a Master’s program.

Information about the Massachusetts Teacher Test is available on the Massachusetts Department of Education Website at www.doe.mass.edu. Registration forms may be requested on-line.